Economic Crime Academy in Ukraine to deliver anti-bribery training

Economic Crime Academy trainers recently returned from delivering four bespoke training programmes to the Security Service of Ukraine.

Over the course of two weeks they delivered anti-bribery training to more than 40 specialists, boosting the Ukrainian Government's efforts to reduce corruption.

Ukraine's efforts to embrace a stringent anti-corruption framework come as a result of requirements imposed by the IMF in return for its $15bn aid programme.

Corruption in Ukraine as long been perceived as a widespread and growing problem and in 2012 an EY review listed Ukraine as one of the world's three most corrupt nations.

A key problem was illustrated when Transparency International reported that the police themselves are one of the biggest recipients of bribery. As a result of this systematic problem, 74% of survey recipients said they would not report incidents of corruption - a third of these due to fear of the repercussions. No law enforcement efforts to tackle the problem can succeed without both strong political desire for change and a police force who aren’t actively seeking the payment of bribes.

In establishing a new Anti-Corruption Bureau Ukraine has taken a significant step toward combating bribery. Together with the Security Service of Ukraine it will play a key role in Ukraine's efforts and tackle corruption at a high level. As well as investing in training from the Economic Crime Academy's internationally renowned experts Ukraine's government is taking the step of hiring brand new entrants into this new anti-bribery taskforce, rather than drawing on current resources.

Matt Bowler, from the Economic Crime Academy said:

“The amount being paid in bribes annually in Ukraine has been estimated recently as over $400m, representing a vast drain on public finances. Corruption is a huge obstacle for businesses wanting to trade, particularly with larger economies adopting policies such as the UK's Bribery Act 2010, which result in company directors facing criminal penalties for failing to prevent bribes being paid.

“Economic development in Ukraine and all emerging markets could well hinge on tackling corruption head on. By drawing on the expertise of anti-bribery specialists from the Economic Crime Academy Ukraine’s anti-corruption agenda is making a significant step in the right direction.”